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Virunga Lodge - Most Charming Place to Stay in Rwanda
We stayed at the Virunga Lodge when we ventured to Rwanda to go gorilla tracking, and it was the most charming place to stay in Rwanda! The staff was so nice and accommodating, making us feel at home halfway around the world.
For our first lodging adventure in Africa, we stayed at the Virunga Lodge and couldn’t have been happier! This gorgeous lodge was colorful and the stay went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. We went gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park and spent three wonderful nights at the lodge!
See my packing list of things you can purchase on Amazon here: Amazon African Safari Packing List
Views from atop the hill where Virunga Lodge lives
Guest Rooms (also known as Bandas)
Virunga Lodge - Kivu Banda
Our banda was incredible! We stayed in the Kivu banda which had a nice view of the lake and volcanoes. The room was decorated in vibrant colors with a homey design that made us want to move in!
The bed was a little firmer than I like but we were so exhausted we slept just fine!
The bathroom was very large and had what Josh called a Flintstones bathroom, which I definitely agree!
You’re not supposed to drink the tap water or brush your teeth with the sink water, so fresh drinkable bottles were supplied.
The great thing about our Africa trip was that they did our laundry for us complimentary, as part of the room charge. Some lodges won’t wash women’s underwear since the men do the laundry! They’ll provide detergent in most bathrooms to wash your underoos in the sink.
We had a private butler assigned and she gave us a cell phone to call her if we needed anything as there weren’t phones in the rooms. The only time we really called her was to replace the batteries in the safe!
Main Lodge
The main lodge was the place to hang out. There was a bar that you could get drinks at any time during the day. Most importantly, the wifi only worked in the main lodge and was not available in our rooms. It was nice to disconnect, but we also wanted to share our Gorilla Trek experience with our family and friends!
Main Lodge
They had games to play, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view.
Food and Meals at Virunga Lodge
All of our meals were held in the dining room or on the veranda. right next to the main lodge. My favorite spot was the corner table of the veranda set for two with a view.
All of the meals were excellent and very “Americanized.” Options like spaghetti or fish and chips for lunch and a hearty choice of meat for dinner - chicken, steak or fish with different sauce/side options. Dessert was different every night with options such as lemon meringue and sweet crepes. My favorite meal was breakfast! I’d get a smoothie, scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, and bacon!
Every morning a wake up service was provided where the staff would come with coffee and biscuits (cookies) and wake you up!
Massages at Virunga Lodge
We each had a complimentary 30-minute massage and after our hike with the gorillas and carrying our bags through the airports, a massage was just what we needed!
Massage Lounge and Reception
We checked in and they gave us a basket with a towel, robe, slippers, and lotion. We were instructed to use the bathrooms in the next rooms over and put all of our things in the basket.
Getting massage ready!
The bathroom was large with a bathroom stall, shower and some cabinets on the side to put your things in.
I had put my phone away for complete relaxation but the room we had massages in had large windows with a fantastic view overlooking the mountains. Since it was only 30 minutes, the focus was on my back, neck, and legs, which was fine by me! After 30 minutes, the male masseuse announced, “the massage is done.” Ahhhh, it was so nice and relaxing.
Gorilla Trekking
The main reason we stayed at the Virunga Lodge was to go track the gorillas and see them up close in their natural habitat! We had the most AMAZING time and highly recommend this experience to all! Just make sure you get out of the silverbacks way when they come through!
Please see more in our post: How we got pushed by a gorilla when we went Gorilla Trekking
Read all about our Gorilla Trek when we tracked gorillas up close and personal by clicking the photo above!
Other Fun Activities
There are many hikes you can take around the lodge and even hike down to the lake (the only problem with that is you have to hike back up).
There were also bird trails and the locals came by one afternoon to perform a traditional dance for us!
Traditional Dance from the locals
I can’t recommend this trip more! We booked through our favorite travel agency, Scott Dunn! Let them know we sent you!
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Disneyland Resort Halloween Time 2019 - Decorations, Events, and Food Guide
Fall is finally here and so is Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort! See our decoration, events, and food guide for your next trip to the happiest place on earth! #Disneyland #halloweentime #fall
Main Entrance Mickey and Friends Pumpkins
HAPPY FALL! Even though it’s supposed to be really hot outside today, it is officially fall in California and the Disneyland Resort is ready to go with their Halloween decorations! Even Downtown Disney and California Adventure are in full spirit too.
Full Food Guide here: Halloween Time Food Guide at the Disneyland Resort
SO MANY PUMPKINS! Downtown Disney's planters were filled with colorful fun pumpkins! You can enjoy the spookiness of Halloween Time from September 6th through October 31st, 2019.
What started out as a "Mickey's not so Scary Halloween" at Disneyland with pumpkins here and there, Disney has added more of a scary element to California Adventure with headless horsemen and ghoulish echoing laughs throughout the park. I think it could be a little scarier to compete with Six Flags and Universal Studios, but maybe they need a few more years.
Also, don't forget to check out the Halloween decor at Disneyland Paris.
HALLOWEEN TIME AT CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Every year it seems like California Adventure is adding more and more Halloween decorations each year. The highlight for me is always food-related and they nailed it with the Minnie Witch Shake this year! Ok, let’s start with the front of the park, here is the main entrance:
CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE Halloween Time Oogie Boogie MAIN ENTRANCE DAYTIME
CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE Halloween Time MAIN ENTRANCE NIGHTTIME
After entering the gates, Buena Vista Street had lots of bats and purple banners and lights, which I liked because it differentiated from Main Street at Disneyland that is filled with pumpkins and orange harvest decor.
Bats along Buena Vista Street
Last year, Carthay Circle was so cool with the bats flying out! They didn’t do that this year or put the banners up.
Mickey Mouse in his Halloween Costume
Even Mickey Mouse himself was dressed up in costume!
My favorite Halloween decoration is the Headless Horseman, who greets you just before you enter Hollywood. He laughs about it too. Muahahahhaa... Might be too scary for Disneyland, but perfect for California Adventure.
The highlight of my day was getting this Minnie Witch Shake at Schmoozies! A perfectly blended mint chocolate chip shake with a Halloween Minnie flair!
Disneyland Halloween Food - Minnie Witch Shake at Schmoozies
Schmoozies Halloween Treat Menu
Minnie Witch Shake - Mint Chocolate Chip Shake with Whipped Cream and Chocolate Cream-filled Cookie ears $7.49
Mummy Donut - filled with Peanut Butter and Jelly $8.99
Caramel Apple Smoothie - Apples, Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce and a Caramel Apple Lollipop $6.99
Also, across the way at Award Weiners try Oogie's Worms & Dirt Funnel Cake Fries - dusted in Crushed Chocolate Cream-filled Cookies with Cream Cheese Sauce, Cookie Pieces, Gummy Candies, Chocolate-coated Candies, and Whipped Cream $8.99
Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark 2019
After we got our milkshakes, we went over to get in line for Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark! The Collector’s Fortress cages had been opened releasing all the monsters. We joined Rocket in a thrilling race to rescue Groot during this daring Halloween adventure! As we were waiting in line there were employees looking for the monsters that had been released and it was pretty funny.
CARS LAND at Halloween Time
Cars Land Halloween time - I don’t know this kid, but he’s cute
The next area haunted was Cars Land, where Halloween decorations covered every inch of it.
I LOVE these posters! They literally made me LOL, especially Hocus Spokus because Hocus Pocus is the best Halloween movie out there.
So I started to think that I hadn't paid enough attention to detail without the halloween decorations, because have they always had these tire planters? So clever!:
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CARS LAND
I loved how they lit everything at night with green and purple lighting. I'm really glad I took a picture of this because I did not spend nearly enough time absorbing everything that was happening on this building.
Trunk or Treat… Get it?
Trick-or-treat! Speaking of, let's talk treats. In the Cozy Cone Motel, according to the Disney Parks Blog there were the best Halloween food options at the various cones:
· Slow Burnin’ Mac & Cheese Cone – Fresh-cooked pasta with spicy red pepper cheese sauce topped with crushed chile-cheese puffs, served in a Black Cauldron Cone
· Spoke-y Cone Macaron filled with marshmallow buttercream and candy corn
· Junkyard JamBOOree Mix – Choice of flavored popcorn with optional “nuts and bolts” (e.g., green M&M’s, candy corn, chocolate-covered pretzels, Boston baked beans, etc.)
We had to try the Slow Burnin’ Mac & Cheese Cone and got lemonades with pomegranate limeade on top! Review: Mac & Cheese = good, edible cone = bad. It definitely had a nice spice to it but for $9 I was expecting more both palate wise and by size. The crushed chile-cheese puffs were a nice touch. As for the lemonade, you had the option to add vodka to it!
This year we also tried the Haul-O-Ween Churro, which is a churro rolled in Oreos, green icing, gummy worms, and candies!
Haul-O-Ween Churro, a churro rolled in Oreos, green icing, gummy worms, and candies
Cozy Cone Motel Halloween Treat Menu 2019
Haul-O-Ween Churro - rolled in Crumbled Chocolate Creme-filled Cookies, Green Icing, Gummy Worms and Candies $5.99
Slow Burnin' Mac 'n' Cheese Cone - Pasta with Spicy Red Pepper Cheese Sauce topped with crushed Chile-Cheese Puffs served in a Bread Cone $8.99
"Spoke-y" Cone Macaron - filled with Marshmallow Buttercream and Candy Corn $5.99
Cozy Corn - Buttered Corn on the Cob, brushed with spicy Lime Mayo, rolled in choice of Cotija, Cheese Puffs or spicy Cheese Puffs $6.49
Haul-O-Ween Churro - rolled in Crumbled Chocolate Creme-filled Cookies, Green Icing, Gummy Worms and Candies
Halloween Time ICE CREAM
Last year, Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream was scooping up the Bat Wing Raspberry Sundae which had white chocolate-raspberry swirl ice cream with raspberry splatter, blood-red sprinkles, whipped cream, and Bat Wing cookies.
This year they have changed the menu and the closest thing sounded like the Boogie Man Sundae, a Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Hot Fudge, Chocolate Cookie Crumbles, and Gummy Candies in a Chocolate-dipped Waffle Bowl.
Here is the Halloween Menu this year:
Last Year’s BAT WING RASPBERRY SUNDAE at Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream
Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream Halloween Menu 2019
Arendelle Aqua Macaron - Mickey-shaped Arendelle Aqua sparkly Macaron with Buttercream and Blueberries and Cream filling $5.99
Spider Silk Macaron Sandwich - Black Macaron with Charcoal-Tart Cherry Ice Cream topped with Popping Candy and drops of Raspberry Sauce $6.49
Minnie Witch Ice Cream Bar - Ice Cream Bar dipped in Milk Chocolate, with Chocolate accents and Sprinkles $5.69
Vampire Mickey Ice Cream Bar - Ice Cream Bar dipped in Milk Chocolate and Shortbread Cookie $6.49
Boogie Man Sundae - Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Hot Fudge, Chocolate Cookie Crumbles, and Gummy Candies in a Chocolate-dipped Waffle Bowl $7.49
Poison Apple Premium Mug with Sundae - choice of Sundae served in a Purple Poison Apple Premium Mug $17.99
COCO
There was a special section that was loco with Coco!
We started to trek our way over to Disneyland and kept finding cute decorations!
DISNEYLAND HALLOWEEN TIME DECORATIONS
Disneyland was all decked out with pumpkins and fall foliage!
As we were walking around before the fireworks started, we walked right by the Walt and Mickey statue that had carved pumpkins that were carved from the front and back (they weren't real, but they looked like they were)!
Haunted Mansion Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Holiday
I loved Nightmare Before Christmas as a kid and love that they decorate the Haunted Mansion every year for the holidays. I can’t believe this movie has been out for over 25 years now!
THIS IS HALLOWEEN, THIS IS HALLOWEEN.....
Try and catch the Electrical Parade before it goes away again before Sept 30, 2019!
Electrical Parade Alice in Wonderland
FRONTIERLAND Halloween Time
Dias de los Muertros took over Frontierland!
Halloween Fireworks
Stay for the Halloween Screams fireworks shows at 9:30p on selected nights!
What a great day! I can't wait to go back! Hurry baaacccckkkk, hurrry baaaaaaaaaccccckkkk!
Reference: For more info on the special Halloween treats served at Disneyland and California Adventure, check out the Disney Parks Blog.
Don’t forget these guys on your magical day:
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How to Spend 5 AMAZING Days in Sydney, Australia
How to spend 5 days in Sydney - Australia - Full itinerary! See all the things to do and where to stay in Sydney! See our tips in this great Travel Guide! This was our honeymoon and it was perfect!
Sydney Opera House
What to do for 5 Days in Sydney, Australia
While we were on our 3-week honeymoon, we spent a large chunk of it in Sydney! We had spent New Years in Sydney but left to let the crowds die down a bit and came back on the 3rd of January. Overall, we enjoyed our visit and would definitely go back. Making the long trek from California, we wanted to see all Sydney had to offer and spent about 5 days there.
Where to Stay in Sydney
We used our Hyatt reward nights, a perk from our Hyatt Credit Card, along with some points, and stayed at the beautiful 5-star Park Hyatt Sydney. It was the perfect location - across from the Opera House, near Circular Quay (where you can jump on a train or ferry and get anywhere in a matter of minutes), and under the Harbor Bridge.
Park Hyatt Sydney
Here was our 5-day itinerary for Sydney:
Day 1
Pancakes on the Rocks
MORNING
We started with breakfast at Pancakes on the Rocks. We love pancakes, figured it couldn't be bad with so many great Yelp reviews. The service was a little slow but the food made up for it. I had chocolate chips pancakes, of course, because everything is better with chocolate!
We went down to Circular Quay (pronounced "key") and took the ferry across the harbor to the Taronga Zoo.
There were Koalas, giraffes, kangaroos, everything that can kill you, and my favorite, the penguin exhibit that had Fairy Penguins!
Top of Taronga Zoo
The zoo is located on a hill with spectacular views of Sydney from all over, so we recommend you start at the top and work your way down.
Penguins in the Taronga Zoo
We took a few animal selfies too! We liked the zoo, but the Featherdale Wild Park was even better (see day 2 below).
AFTERNOON - Olympic Park
In the afternoon we took the ferry back to Circular Quay and boarded a train taking us out to the Sydney Olympic Park. Josh loves to visit Olympic Parks and this one had a lot to see and it was all outdoors!
The park was built to host the Summer Olympics in 2000. They had the torch, the Olympic Cauldron that looks like a spaceship which was where the flame was lit the duration of the games, markers that noted how high someone jumped, who won each sport, and name of everyone who participated.
Day 2
Morning - Blue Mountains
We booked a tour with Blue Diamond Tours, which conveniently picked us up from the hotel, and took us to the Blue Mountains National Park. The mountains look blue because the eucalyptus forest disperses droplets of Eucalypt oil into the atmosphere which combines with dust particles and water vapor, scattering refracted rays of light which are largely blue in color. #funfacts
The rock formation located in the Blue Mountains is known as the 3 Sisters, which aboriginals legend told, the 3 daughters from the Katoomba tribe fell in love with 3 brothers from a neighboring tribe, but they were forbidden to get married by tribal laws. The brothers didn't agree with this law and captured the 3 sisters, causing a war outbreak between the tribes and the sisters were turned into stone by a witch doctor to protect them. Unfortunately, the witch doctor died in the war and no one was able to turn them back.
From Scenic World’s Website
We took the Scenic World Skyway cable car suspended across the Jamison Valley to a park called Scenic World where they had attractions and the best views. You could look through the floor of the car and see the rain forest below.
looking through the floor of the skyway cable car
We also road the Scenic Railway, the world's steepest incline railway, which travels down a cliffside through tunnel and ancient rain forest at a gradient of 62 degrees. At the bottom, you can walk around the rainforest and check out the site of the old coal mine.
Afternoon - Featherdale Wildlife Park
ARCHER, THE KOALA, at Featherdale Wildlife Park
My favorite part of the day was when we went to see Australia's native animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park. I love animals and this was probably my favorite thing to do in Sydney.
You can get up close and personal with the animals - touch them, hold them, feed them. The ever so adorable Archer, the koala, is best-loved as he is the popular koala. I even had my Mom paint him from a picture I took because I needed to see him every day.
There are many other animals throughout the park such as kangaroos that are literally hanging out and let you pet them! We also saw more fairy penguins, wombats, wallabies, a Cassowary, and a Tasmanian Devil, OH MY!
Evening in Sydney
We came back to the hotel, freshened up and walked around the harbor over to the Opera Bar for dinner. The Opera Bar is located directly under the Opera House. They had a great food selection, we loved their burgers. The restaurant is set up with open seating and you order by the kitchen, get a number and they deliver to your table.
We also enjoyed their dessert (of course) having a crepe with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. I was a perfect ending to our perfect day with a gorgeous pink sunset.
Day 3
Morning in Manly Beach
We started our day going to Manly Beach! For food, we found this spot called Hemingway's which looked like a library but served food and alcohol. It was early, so we had coffee and breakfast with a slight breeze and gorgeous view of the crystal blue ocean.
We walked around and did a little shopping, buying souvenirs and gifts for friends and family.
Afternoon - Sea life Sydney Aquarium
PLATYPUS at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
We took the bus back and decided it was time for more animals so we paid a visit to the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and found Nemo, Dory, and lots of sharks.
We walked through the aquarium and after scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, it felt like we had seen a lot of these fish before. However, they do have unique creatures that are hard to find in the deep blue and were glad to see them here (love the platypus). If you have kids (or act like a big kid like me) there are interactive pools where you can touch sea cucumbers and starfish.
Also, the high point was the underground glass tunnels where fish and sharks swim around you on all sides and it feels like you're underwater with them.
Happy Hour in Sydney at a Secret Whiskey bar!
BAXTER INN - WHISKEY BAR
It was happy hour and we found a hidden gem! We went to a whiskey speak-easy called the Baxter Inn. It was a little challenging to find but worth it when we got there. You have to head down a nondescript alley on Clarence Street and walk through an unmarked door on your right, down a dark staircase to the basement level. The dim lighting and waiters outfits felt like we had walked into another dimension. They had 360 different whiskeys from around the globe and make their own apple juice for their fine crafted cocktail!
Baxter Inn Speakeasy Bar - Sydney
Afterward, we went to a casino in The Star hotel. Walking in, there was signage in front explaining the signs which show you might have a gambling problem because of Australia's gambling issue. It was kind of sad, but kind of funny. We played roulette and won! No gambling problem here.
Day 4
MORNING - Beach Walk
We took the bus over to Bondi Beach. We then did a 5 mile hike along the coast from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. Along the way, we walked through the Tamarama and Bronte beaches. This wasn't an easy hike, there were steep inclines, stairs and sun. Lots of sun. The sun was intense and even after re-applying sunscreen a few times, we burned. It hurt.
AFTERNOON - Luna Park
Luna Park Entrance
We came back cleaned up and took the ferry over to Luna Park, a carnival-like amusement park with a scary entrance. and did a couple of rides, but the highlight was playing on the slides in the funhouse. Josh and I raced for at least 30 minutes. This was definitely made for kids.
Luna Park Slides
EVENING
Afterward, we had dinner at an Italian restaurant right next to Luna Park, called Ripples Milsons Point. It was right on the water overlooking the harbor and I had the most amazing pumpkin ravioli.
We came back to the hotel and wanted to grab a few pictures on our last night:
Harbor Bridge at Night
Opera House at Night
Day 5
MORNING - Opera House Tour
Our last day in Australia started with breakfast at the Park Hyatt Sydney. We overlooked the harbor directly at the Opera House and started to feel a little sad we were leaving.
Opera House Tiles Close-up - Chevron Design
We walked over and took a tour of the Opera House. As an iconic staple to the city, We were excited to see this gorgeous building and learn the history behind it. Up close you can see the shaped tiles that are shell-like making a chevron type pattern across the roof. The inside is just as stunning, as there are several venues within the house. The 2 largest concert hall is the largest and has the largest organ with over 10,000 pipes!
THIS IS KNOWN AS THE OPERA HOUSE CLEAVAGE
AFTERNOON
Since we were leaving that night, we had some time to kill but couldn't go too far. We decided to explore "The Rocks" which was the area right above our hotel. It's great for shopping and restaurants.
We went to Fortune of War (claims it is Sydney's oldest pub, which a lot of bars do) which wasn't anything special but nice to stop for a good cold brew.
Fortune of War - Sydney’s Oldest Pub
It was time to hop in a cab and head to the airport. We were sad to leave Sydney, but we weren't done with our Honeymoon yet, New Zealand and French Polynesia were next!
We would love to go back to Sydney and check off anything we missed! Let us know in the comments below if there is something you recommend!
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A gorilla pushed us out of the way while Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda!
Our gorilla trek in Rwanda was amazing! Read all about our adventure and how Josh was pushed by a silverback during our visit! Plus, see our guide to everything you need to know about gorilla trekking including what to pack, what to wear, and helpful tips.
To kick off our trip to Africa, our first excursion was a trip into the jungles of Rwanda to visit the gorillas! When we booked our trip, I was most excited for this portion of the trip and I was not disappointed. We got so close, we could touch them… well one of them pushed Josh (see full story and video below)! To see them live in their natural habitat was so much better than seeing them behind bars at a zoo! Here’s everything you need to know when venturing on a gorilla trek and helpful packing tips (see the end of the post).
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Getting There and Gorilla Family Assignment
Planning in advance: We booked our trip through the travel agency, Scott Dunn, about 15 months in advance and it is $1500 per person to go trekking. Save your money, it’s totally worth it!
Day of Adventure: We started our morning bright and early at the Virunga Lodge with a 5:30a wakeup and 6am breakfast. By 6:30a we were in the car and on our way to the base camp to get our gorilla family assignment. Bring a copy of your passport or make sure the hotel/lodge can make a copy for you. You need this for the rangers.
There was an option of an easy, medium, or hard hike and we requested an easy to medium hike. There are 16 families in the Virunga Mountains - Volcanoes National Park and 10 families are visited once per day by 8 people max for one hour. Our driver/guide helped arrange which family we would see and introduced us to the ranger that we would be with for the day. We met with our group and our ranger gave the details of our gorilla family and laid out how our adventure would play out. We lucked out and only had a group of 6 people, which was better to see and gather around the gorillas.
At basecamp getting our gorilla family assignment
We were assigned Titus the silverback and his gorilla family. A group of gorillas is called a band or a troop, or the less common is a “whoop” of gorillas. I like whoop the best so that’s what I’m going with… Within the whoop there were 3 other Silverbacks in which two of them were Titus’ children who were known as the troublemakers.
We learned a lot about the dynamic and behaviors of gorillas. Most whoops have one silverback since their competitive nature for females keep them separated to their own family. Silverbacks keep many females in their groups but don’t like other males doing the “jiggy jiggy” (as our guide put it) with their females. Once male children reach a certain maturity they may run off from the group with one of the females to start their own family or they meet a female from another family.
After we had our briefing, we all jumped in our cars and drove about 30 minutes to our stop closest to where the gorilla family was located.
Hiking to the Gorillas
We parked in a lot amongst some rural farms. We hired a porter there to help carry our bag while we were trekking through the jungle. It was worth the $10 USD for the porter to carry our bag with cameras and water. He would even help me climb up and down areas that were harder to climb. I’m fairly fit but can be very clumsy, so I was happy with having a helping hand.
The jungle front was a few miles away at a slight incline. We were given some walking sticks carved with intricate gorilla designs and set out on our trek to find the gorillas.
Hand carved hiking sticks
We had heard some stories from others at the lodge saying it took 3 hours to hike and find the gorillas the day before, so we were prepared to hike for anywhere from an hour to 3 hours.
Rwanda Rural Farm
We walked about an hour through a farm (in the sun) along a trail up to the gate that led into the jungle. Our ranger told us the family had climbed into the crater and that if we sit and wait, hopefully they’ll come out closer to us. We just sat at the jungle front looking over the valley. After, about 45-60 minutes the gorillas climbed out of the crater and were “close.” We didn’t know what “close” meant but we were excited and entered through the gate to the jungle. Literally, there was a gate to the jungle with a man guarding it.
Gate to the jungle and GORILLAS!
Trekking and Finding the Gorillas
After about 15 minutes, we met with the trackers that were following the family and we were instructed to leave our bags and walking sticks as they are threatening to the gorillas. We took a few steps and instantly saw a sleeping silverback and female right next to him, which we were probably 15 feet from!
We kept walking and found another gorilla enjoying some lunch. We watched him eat for about 5 minutes and couldn’t believe he was right in front of us. We moved on and could hear some gorillas grunting in the bushes but couldn’t see them very well.
Close up with the gorillas
We eventually found Titus, the main silverback of the whoop, and took a picture with him.
Picture with Titus the silverback gorilla
Now this is where it gets crazy. Titus decided he wanted to move but were all in his way. The ranger separated our group to get out of his way but there wasn’t a lot of room to move. Titus then pushed Josh out of the way (gently not forcefully), and leapt onto some trees taking them down so he could go on his way! It was intense and awesome all at the same time!
We moved on and found a few others eating and a 3 month old baby with the craziest hair (or fur). He was so cute, he just wanted to check out what was going on and while people were interrupting his meal.
Gorilla family with 3 month old baby gorilla
As we were walking along, one of the silverbacks was on the move. Again, the rangers tried to move us out of the way and as he pulled me back, I was basically leaning against the hill and Titus came right between Josh and I! He stopped and took a look at Josh, then wandered off. It was exciting, exhilarating, intimidating, and terrifying - all at the same time!
We carried on and came upon a few more gorillas eating and climbing around. At this point, it had been an hour and our time was up. We met back up with the trackers and our porter, reloaded our bags and made our way back to the car.
3 month old baby gorilla hanging on
Once we returned, there was a man selling hand carved walking sticks and little gorilla figurines. I have a collection of animal figurines from around the world and this souvenir was the perfect addition to my collection to commemorate our wonderful day with the gorillas!
my souvenir Gorilla Figurine
What to Pack and Bring on your Gorilla Trek
You don’t need to bring too much on your trip because you don’t want to carry too many things and most of them won’t be necessary. Plus we were limited to 33 pounds for our smaller flights.
See my packing list of things you can purchase on Amazon here: Amazon African Safari Packing List
What to Wear while Gorilla Trekking
Everything I researched before we left suggested to wear layers which wasn’t helpful because what kind of layers? How many layers are really necessary? I now have those answers! In the morning it is chilly. I wore a short-sleeved t-shirt, a long-sleeved cotton pullover that was treated with bug repellant, along with my lightweight rain jacket on top and it was a perfect temperature. Josh runs a little warmer so he had one of his long sleeved safari Columbia shirts on and was fine. As we started walking and the sun rose a little higher, I peeled off the rain jacket. Wear more neutral colors to blend in and not scare the gorillas away. Do not wear camouflage, it’s illegal.
You’ll want to bring gardening gloves and wear a long sleeved shirt so you don’t get sliced by the branches or long grass like needles. You’ll want to wear good hiking shoes as the jungle floor can be slippery, muddy, thorny, etc. I brought my hat and left it in the car since we were going to be under the jungle canopy most of the time.
Packing List for Gorilla Trekking:
T-shirt
Long sleeved shirt - not too heavy, I recommend the Exofficio bug repellant pullover
Rain Jacket - lightweight and packs into a little pouch
Hiking Pants - convertible ones are great if its really hot
Garden Gloves - just to protect your hands, nothing fancy
Hiking shoes - high tops are better for your ankle but not necessary
Gaiters - so fire ants don’t climb up your pants (our lodge provided them - check with your accommodations beforehand)
Sunglasses
Water - we brought 4 bottles for the 2 of us
Snacks & lunch
Copy of your passport for the rangers
Camera Gear
Sony a7rii with a 70-300mm lens on it to get close shots
Sony 6500 with a 10-18mm lens for wider shots
We are obsessed with the DJI Osmo Pocket Camera that has a stabilizing gimbal for amazing 4K footage, panorama shots, and the ability to track what you are shooting! It’s replacing our GoPro. This captured Josh being pushed by a gorilla as Josh was falling and the gorilla was jumping!
Before you leave your lodge/hotel/camp:
Apply bug repellent - Ultrathon is a lotion and lasts 12 hours
Apply sunscreen to your face and chest - ThinkSport is our fave
Pack snacks, water, and a lunch - our lodge provided sandwiches and fruit, we packed those along with some granola bars. You never know how long you’ll be out there!
When you return from your Gorilla Adventure:
Return your gaiters
Give the lodge your hiking boots to clean them - they can be muddy or dusty
Give the lodge your clothes to wash
Take a shower, relax and look at your pictures
Where to Stay in Rwanda - Virunga Lodge
We fell in love with the Virunga Lodge instantly and didn’t want to leave! Located at the top of a mountain, our room (also called a banda) was huge, decorated with vibrant colors, and had spectacular views. The staff was amazing, waiting on you hand and foot. The meals were incredible and included a great variety of food. The rooms didn’t have Wifi but the main lodge did.
Full review on the Virunga Lodge coming soon!
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Rhino Trekking in Kenya, Africa and Lodging with Saruni Rhino
Rhinos are rare to find in Africa and the best way to see them is by foot! The Saruni Rhino will give you the best experience both in lodging, food, and getting up close with the rhinos. Where to stay and go in Kenya, Africa.
When we were researching where to stay in Kenya, our travel agent from Scott Dunn highly recommended staying at Saruni Rhino and I’m so glad she did. I didn’t realize how the Rhino is hunted for it’s horn and poaching is a severe problem. These magnificent creatures look like dinosaurs and are so exhilarating to see in person.
Scroll down later in the post to watch our video of our trip to Saruni Rhino!
Is there something behind me?
Where to Stay in Kenya
The Saruni Rhino is an intimate place to stay! There are only 3 rooms (also called Bandas) available, and with the location right along the river bed, you are sure to see animals visit the waterhole at all times during the day or at night. There is even a light by the waterhole at night to see who is visiting while you’re eating dinner in the main lodge.
Our Banda had a bed on a swing out front, which was perfect to relax and watch the animals approach the waterhole.
Tracking the Rhino in Kenya, Africa
Rhinos would look like rocks with eyes - Moseku the Rhino
Our guide would take us out in the morning or afternoon to go Rhino trekking. The rangers in the conservatory would keep an eye on where the Rhinos are located, knowing their habits and behaviors after years of observation. We’d hop in the car and drive about 30 minutes to the Sera Conservatory front gate, then typically another 30 minutes to the rhinos.
After we’d meet up with the ranger trackers, we’d hop out of the car and walk with them by foot to see the rhino. Typically we would stay pretty far away so that the rhino wouldn’t feel threatened and charge at us. The rhinos seemed more scared of us anyway and would run away if they heard us coming too close. We first found Moseku, a 7-10 year old rhino.
Rhinos can hear and smell very well, but they can’t see very far. Our guide would see which way the wind was blowing by kicking up dirt to see which way it would blow so we could make sure that the rhino(s) couldn’t smell us. As we would get closer, we’d tread carefully and as quietly as possible, which can be very hard when walking on gravel and branches.
Baby Rhino at 3 years old
Our guides would find the rhinos by sound, following footprints, or finding their poop! We walked around for an hour one morning and barely saw a rhino through the bushes. We were lucky enough to find the baby named Lojipu, the 3 year old “baby” rhino. His mother left him after he was a few days old, so the rangers bottle fed him and are hoping to release him back into the wild. He was very playful and acted almost like a dog running around. We weren’t allowed to touch him, but it took everything in me not to run up and hug him.
Scroll down to watch our video of Lojipu!
Watch our video of our trip to Saruni Rhino:
What to Pack, Wear and Bring for Rhino Trekking
You never know when you’ll run into elephants,
What to Wear
Since you might be sitting in a vehicle for a while, wear something comfortable. I wore a t-shirt (sprayed with permethrin), bug repellent pants, hiking shoes, a hat, and brought a fleece sweater for the cool mornings and evenings. I am not an outdoorsy girl by any means, and would rather be in a dress and flip flops.
If I had skin showing I wore bug repellent, and I didn’t get one bite! Bugs love to bite me wherever we go and I was deathly afraid I was going to be eaten alive in Africa. I used Ultrathon insect repellent and it worked so well! We sprayed our clothes with Permethrin which lasts for about 7 washes. Some of our clothes were already treated and brands like Exofficio will last for up to 70 washes!
Safari Essentials:
Don’t forget to bring these with you:
Camera - have batteries and extra memory cards on hand just in case
Binoculars
Water (your guide might already have some)
Sunscreen
Bug repellent
Hat
Snack - granola bars are easy to bring with you
I highly recommend this excursion if you’re on your way to Africa! Don’t miss out! We booked our trip with Scott Dunn, tell them you were recommended by Kathleen at the Sweetest Escapes!
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How to prepare and what to pack for your African Safari from clothes to cameras!
We were challenged to pack 33 pounds for our 2-week safari trip to Africa! See our packing list for what to wear and what we needed to bring each day on the safari. Check out the camera gear we brought, you may need less than you think!
Safari Clothes while Rhino Tracking
Everything you’ll need for your Safari adventures in Africa
I was born and raised in Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley and definitely consider myself a Valley Girl. I’m not quite the outdoorsy, sleep under the stars, go camping type. When we booked our Africa trip, I guess I didn’t realize how much of this trip would be like camping… ok… glamping!
Make fun of me all that you want as to what I wore, but just know that I was comfortable and didn’t get one bug bite in 2 weeks!
Regardless here are the items that were essential for this trip for those of you who don’t typically have adventurous clothes in your closets (and don’t want to break the bank)!
See my packing list of things you can purchase on Amazon here: Amazon African Safari Packing List
Packing Essentials for Safaris in Africa
Packing Clothes for 2 Weeks in East Africa for Safaris
Everything I researched before we left suggested to wear layers which wasn’t helpful because that led me to all kinds of questions: What kind of layers? How many layers are really necessary? I now have those answers! In the morning it is chilly. I wore a short-sleeved t-shirt, a long-sleeved cotton pullover that was treated with bug repellant. Josh runs a little warmer so he had one of his long-sleeved safari Columbia shirts on and was fine.
More neutral, camouflage like colors are recommended but camouflage itself is not allowed as it is military wear only! We stuck to more beige, greens, and grays as you want to blend in to not scare away the animals. Also, they say blue and black attract the Tsetse fly, which is a disgusting fly that can bite you and give you some terrible disease. Bring bug repellent and treat your clothes with permethrin.
We treated our clothes with permethrin by spraying them before we left. Some clothing brands sell permethrin-treated shirts and pants, like Exofficio. Check the label, but most pre-treated clothes will last up to 70 washes. If you treat them yourself, the permethrin should last at least 7 washes.
All of our lodges did our laundry once a day, which was included with our booking. Make sure your lodge will do laundry for you in advance. The only thing they didn’t wash was women’s underwear since men were doing the laundry. I heard they don’t always have the cleanest water at times, but we didn’t have a problem. Most lodges will wash in the morning and hang dry so you don’t have to worry about anything shrinking.
Safari Clothes to Pack
My clothing packing list for 2 weeks in Africa (Josh packed very similar):
5 T-shirts (treated with permethrin) - Josh packed 4 quick-dry T-shirts and 2 safari Columbia shirts
2 Long-sleeved shirts - not too heavy, I recommend the Exofficio bug repellant pullover, I also had a fleece pullover because I get cold easily
5 pairs of pants/leggings - I packed one pair of Hiking Pants - convertible ones are great if its really hot
4 pairs of socks - including 2 pairs of Hiking socks
5 pairs of underwear
3 bras
Hiking shoes - high tops are better for your ankle but not necessary
Rain Jacket - lightweight and packs into a little pouch
Sun hat or baseball cap - get something snug so it doesn’t fly off when on safari
safari clothes
Tips for Toiletries
I recommend packing lightly as we took about 2 showers a day, I definitely did not go full make-up every day.
Sunscreen - ThinkSport is our fave
Bug repellent - Ultrathon is a lotion and lasts 12 hours
Don’t bring manicure scissors. They were confiscated at the airport :(
All the lodges had shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, so I left mine at home
Hairdryer - some lodges had a hairdryer and others didn’t. They usually had restrictions to use them at a certain time too, check with your lodge if you can’t live without one.
Everything listed above fit into my $20 Eddie Bauer duffle bag! Why did I pack a duffle bag? This bag is very lightweight and according to our small plane’s regulations, we couldn’t have anything with wheels.
Pack Safari clothes and Cameras. You never know when you’ll see elephants!
What to Pack for a day on a Safari
Since you might be sitting in a vehicle for a while, wear something comfortable. I wore a t-shirt (sprayed with permethrin), bug repellent pants, hiking shoes, a hat, and brought a fleece pullover for the cool mornings and evenings. I am not an outdoorsy girl by any means, and would rather be in a dress and flip flops.
Binoculars
Phones
Cameras
Hat
Sunglasses - protect from wind, dirt, and sun!
Apply sunscreen to your face and chest - ThinkSport is our fave
Bug repellent - Ultrathon is a lotion and lasts 12 hours
Wear something comfortable - I’d wear a t-shirt and safari pants or leggings
Sweater for cool mornings or late afternoons
Some vehicles will have chargers with USB and international plug - bring cables for charging
A blanket is usually in the vehicle
Pack snacks and water - our lodge provided a meal most of the time. We packed some granola bars, you never know how long you’ll be out there!
If I had skin showing I wore bug repellent, and I didn’t get one bite! Bugs love to bite me wherever we go and I was deathly afraid I was going to be eaten alive in Africa. I used Ultrathon insect repellent and it worked so well! We sprayed our clothes with Permethrin which lasts for about 7 washes. Some of our clothes were already treated and brands like Exofficio will last for up to 70 washes!
Camera Gear for Safaris
My favorite part! We took our camera gear seriously and came back with some amazing photos and high-quality videos that we will have forever and ever.
Sony a7rii with a 70-300mm lens on it to get close shots of animals further away
Sony 6500 with a 10-18mm lens for wider shots
We are obsessed with the DJI Osmo Pocket Camera that has a stabilizing gimbal for amazing 4K footage, panorama shots, and the ability to track what you are shooting! It’s replacing our GoPro. This captured Josh being pushed by a gorilla as Josh was falling and the gorilla was jumping!
iPhone for animals up close and for social media quick posts. I liked recording a couple of videos on my phone then uploading to my social media stories later at the lodge.
See my packing list of things you can purchase on Amazon here: Amazon African Safari Packing List
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See all AFRICA POSTS or try a few of these:
Before Summer Ends, You MUST Visit Ice Cream Alley at Smorgasburg LA
Giving you the who, what, when, where details of Smorgasburg LA’s Ice Cream Alley and why you must visit this summer! Best thing to do in LA on a Summer Sunday!
We kicked off the Ice Cream Alley season at Smorgasburg LA on National Ice Cream Day, make sure you stop by for a scoop before Labor Day! Let me give you the who, what, where, and when!
*******THIS SUNDAY, Aug 11, 2019 - APPLE PAY x ICE CREAM ALLEY TAKEOVER THIS SUNDAY********
This Sunday, Apple Pay is taking over Ice Cream Alley at Smorgasburg LA to bring you 40% off at select vendors featuring sweets & treats! Stroll on down to find discounts from all sorts of vendors like:
Plus, more TBA! Just like the rest of Smorgasburg LA, Ice Cream Alley is completely free to enter. Just pay for the sweets and treats once inside. See you in Ice Cream Alley!
WHO IS AT ICE CREAM ALLEY?
Ice Cream Alley typically includes the Smorgasburg veterans: Wanderlust Creamery, Sweet Rose Creamery, Buddy Pops (vegan), Donut Friend, Afters Ice Cream, Smoreology and more!
McConnell’s visits often as well!
We loved trying vendors we haven’t tried before like Blast and Sweet ‘N Hollow. Their chimney cakes are SO GOOD!
Oreo for Real? Chimney cake from Sweet ‘n Hollow
Total Recall sundae from Blast
Ice Cream Alley entrance
WHEN IS ICE CREAM ALLEY OPEN?
Ice Cream Alley typically opens starting on National Ice Cream Day and runs through Labor Day.
Smorgasburg is open every Sunday year round from 10AM-4PM and some of the ice cream vendors are regulars!
It’s ALWAYS free to get in, you just have to pay the vendors for your items!
What a typical Sunday looks like at Smorgasburg LA
WHERE IS ICE CREAM ALLEY (AND WHERE CAN YOU PARK)?
Address: 777 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Located in Downtown LA, you can park at ROW DTLA and free parking for an hour! Yes, it’s true, easy and parking in Downtown Los Angeles! There is a giant structure if you enter off of S Alameda and Center St, I recommend going to a higher floor so you don’t run into those waiting for someone to pull out.
Don’t forget your ice cream purse!
WHAT IS SMORGASBURG LA?
Smorgasburg LA is a great place to eat, really! SO MANY vendors selling anything you could think of: BBQ, burgers, fish, french fry station, grilled cheese, pizza, tacos, Indian food, Korean food, falafels, churros, donuts, ice cream, popsicles… literally everything!
Smorgasburg is the largest weekly open-air food market in America, with markets in New York and Los Angeles attracting 50,000 people each weekend to eat from a hundred local vendors.
See which vendors are attending next weeks Smorgasburg here: Vendors
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7 Best Kept Secret Wineries to Visit in Napa, California - with map!
We love wine which makes it hard to decide where to go in Napa! See our favorite places to go and best kept secret wineries to visit in Napa, CA. See the most instagrammable spots in Napa! #wine #napa
Updated January 21, 2026
Del Dotto Venetian Estate Winery - Prettiest Winery in Napa Valley
7 Most Beautiful Wineries to go Wine Tasting in Napa, California
If you’re looking for the most beautiful wineries in Napa Valley, this guide focuses on wineries that stand out for their scenic vineyard views, unique architecture, and unforgettable settings. These are the wineries that feel just as special as they look—perfect for photos, relaxed tastings, and memorable Napa Valley experiences.
*Updated January 2026 to reflect current winery experiences and reservation policies.*
Napa Valley is my FAVORITE place for wine tasting and there are so many wineries to visit! Napa is located about 2 hours North of San Francisco and is considered part of wine country in Northern California. I LOVE WINE which makes it very difficult to figure out where to go in Napa since there are so many great options!
These Napa Valley wineries were selected not only for their great wine but also for their picture-perfect settings and scenic vineyard views — ideal for travelers who want more than just a tasting flight, but Instagram-worthy experiences and unforgettable landscapes.
I've not only done my own extensive research in personal tastings, so I have made this awesome map so you can see how close the vineyards are:
If you’re planning a trip to Napa, make sure to check out our Ultimate Napa Valley Travel Guide, it has everything you need to know from hotels to wineries to restaurants! Save it for later for sure!
Are you wondering where to stay in Napa and Sonoma? See our full reviews and how much we loved staying at the Cabernet House and ANDAZ NAPA in Downtown Napa, as well as the Hyatt Regency in Sonoma! My absolute favorite was the Alila in St Helena, they had bath tubs and fire pits on their guest room balconies!
Please see our related posts: HOW TO SPEND A WEEKEND WINE TASTING IN NAPA and THE BEST WINERIES IN SONOMA COUNTY which also coincides with this map!
Don’t leave for Napa without these essentials (see more in our Napa Winter Essentials Post or our Napa Packing Checklist post):
What Makes a Winery Worth Visiting in Napa Valley
Vineyard views & landscape
Unique architecture & tasting rooms
Outdoor spaces & gardens
Photogenic features (arches, fountains, vineyards)
Now, onto the best wineries for first timers in Napa!
Chappellet's vineyard on Pritchard Hill from the midst of Molly Chappellet's garden! Photo Courtesy of Chappellet
CHAPPELLET WINERY - Best Winery with Views in Napa
Addresses: Pritchard Hill Location 1581 Sage Canyon Rd, St Helena, CA 94574 (in the mountains with breath taking views) or their Sonoma Location 27 East Napa St, Suite A, Sonoma, CA 95476 (wine tasting room)
Reservations Required?: Yes, book your wine tasting/tour here: Chappellet.com - Ask for Theo, she’s the best!
Cost?: $$$ Tour and tastings start at $125 per person, the wine is worth every penny
Food?: Cheese & Crackers
I like to look for wineries that aren’t as mainstream, that might have a nice view, and great wine. My research this year found Chappellet atop Pritchard Hill with stunning views and some of the best red wine I’ve ever had! And I love my reds! I loved the history of the land and learning about the Chappellet family, owners of this breathtaking winery. We had such an amazing experience, I can’t wait to go back!
See our full review here: Chappellet Winery Review
Mumm Napa Best Vineyard Views
MUMM NAPA - Best Vineyard Views in Napa Valley
Address: 8445 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Reservations Required?: Reservations are recommended but not required for fewer than six guests. Limited walk-in seating is available on a first-come first-served basis. Visit this link to book you reservation https://www.mummnapa.com/wine-tastings-and-tours/
Cost?: $$ Tastings start around $48 on the patio/salon; Tours are $125
Food?: Cheese/Crackers and snacks
Mumm Champagne is one of my favorites and the winery with vineyard views didn’t disappoint. I loved my visit and tasting so much, I even joined their wine club. The grounds are beautiful and the staff is very friendly. I can't wait to come back again and again!
We walked up around 11a without a reservation and were seated immediately. Since it was December and on the cooler side, we opted to sit in the salon for our tasting.
Although this is more of a popular brand name, I had to include it because it’s my favorite!
Bunny Foo Foo at Hall Wines Vineyard
HALL WINES Napa Valley modern winery with vineyard views
Address: 401 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574 (St Helena Location)
Reservations Required?: Reservations recommended, walk-ins welcome. Groups 7+ please contact in advance.
Cost?: $$$ Tastings: $40, Tours starting at $60
Food?: Not really
I was excited for Hall since they specialize in Cabernet Sauvignon, winning many awards for their 100 point cabs! Also, not going to lie, I love bunny foo foo, especially when he is holding a light saber (Star Wars was released in theaters that weekend). Speaking of, they had amazing art throughout the winery, in the gardens, in the tasting room, everywhere!
This vineyard had more of a modern flair with an artistic eye, making it more unique. Their tasting bar was setup on the second floor near floor to ceiling windows with spectacular vineyard views. And we witnessed another beautiful sunset..
Related: See more St Helena Vineyards in our Curated Christmas in Napa: A Luxury 3-Day Guide to St. Helena & Yountville Post!
LARKMEAD VINEYARDS WINERY - Unique Winery in Napa Valley
Larkmead Winery - patio vineyard views
Address: 1100 Larkmead Ln, Calistoga, CA 94515
Reservations Required?: Yes, https://www.larkmead.com/visit/ Book in advance!
Cost?: $$$ About $90 for a tasting; Bottles start at $75
Food?: Not that I could see, just lots of wine!
Their website says it best: "Surrounded by the serenity of our beautiful vineyard, each visit to Larkmead is personal and unique. Guests enjoy a private guided tour of the winery followed by an in-depth tasting with a dedicated member of our team. Our cellar library holds over 2,000 bottles spanning two centuries." Their cabernets were smooth and rich (and perfect).
Wine is served in fancy Zalto glasses which run about $75 a pop!
CASTELLO Di AMOROSA - Scenic Winery Castle in Napa
CASTELLO Di AMOROSA Wins Scenic Winery in Napa Valley and Kid Friendly
Address: 4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515
Reservations Required?: Yes, you must have a reservation in advance.
Cost?: $$$ Starts at $45 just to get into the castle and comes with a tasting. Designated Drivers also need to pay an entrance fee, even if they aren't drinking! There are guided tours and food pairings as well.
Food?: Yes, see the Royal Pairings Menu
Kid Friendly! It is $25 for kids to join but they will be entertained!
This 13th Century Tuscan inspired castle is picture perfect scenery for a winery! You can visit the knight’s hall and their flagship cabernet sauvignon is a must-try. Animals from goats to chickens surround the castle, including some gorgeous peacocks! Not something you see every day in Napa.
Domaine Carneros looks like an elegant French Chateau
DOMAINE CARNEROS is the most Elegant Winery in Napa Valley
Address: 1240 Duhig Rd, Napa, CA 94559
Reservations Required?: Yes, Reserve or call 707.257.0101 ext 150, daily 9-5 PST
Cost?: $$ Daily tastings start at $45, Tours are $125 see more info here: Visit Domaine Carneros
Food?: Snacks are available, food pairing is an option here.
The French Chateau esthetic at Domaine Carneros is utterly breathtaking! Walking up through the garden among the waterfalls feels like you galavanted across the world to a European vineyard! We made a reservation in advance and were seated right away. I love Champagne and the sparkling wine here was to die for. Since it was my birthday, the waiter was so kind to bring out a bottle of their best reserve wine, Le Reve, and give us a taste!
Del Dotto Wine Caves
Del Dotto Venetian Estate Winery - Prettiest Winery in Napa Valley
Address: 1445 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574
Reservations Required?: Yes, Reserve here or call: (707) 963-2134
Cost?: $$$ Bar Tasting – $75 or Cave Experience & Barrel Tasting (90 min) $120 per person
Food?: From house-cured salumi and slow braised meats to vegetables from their garden and Grandma Dee’s handmade ravioli, Chef Joshua and the entire culinary team collaborate on a unique menu that embodies the season and pairs perfectly with the wines.
The tasting was more expensive than other vineyards, but it included cheese, bread and olive oil! I highly recommend venturing into their gorgeous Venetian caves known as the tour with barrel tasting. Check out that chandelier! The tasting room is beautiful decked out with venetian paintings, tiling, marble pillars and expensive wines making it the prettiest winery in Napa!
Do you have any wineries that we need to add to our list? Let us know in the comments below!
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Need another glass? Try some more:
How to Make Your Apple Watch Stylish with JORD! Enter our FREE giveaway!
Looking for a new band for your Apple Watch? I found my favorite Apple Watch band that is not only stylish, but a durable, great quality band from JORD watches! Also, for a limited time (July-Aug 2019), enter our giveaway for your chance to win a free band from JORD!
JORD WATCHBAND
This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!
***GIVEAWAY ALERT!***
ENTER OUR CONTEST FOR A FREE BAND FROM OUR PARTNER, JORD! Contest runs July 21st-Aug 21st 2019!
Click here to enter to WIN your own FREE JORD Apple Watch Band:
www.jordwatches.com/g/thesweetestescapes
I am a huge fan of technology and always want the latest gadgets and tech accessories! I’m constantly on my computer, iPad, and iPhone when it comes to planning trips or finding the nearest ice-cream spots to my location!
One gadget I never thought I needed was an Apple Watch... until I got one from Josh for my birthday! Not only does it *attempt* to keep me on time with reminders and notifications, but we love tracking our steps on trips to see how many miles we walked whether it’s walking around with elephants in Thailand or walking the beach with the flamingos in Aruba!
I guess my initial turn-off to the Apple Watch was the appearance of how they looked on your wrist, the Apple Watch Bands aren’t very attractive.
Luckily, I found my favorite new accessory via JORD - they have an amazing collection of wooden and leather bands for the Apple Watch! Hallelujah! These bands are handcrafted and have a variety of unique designs for men and women. I ordered the Speckled Rose Leather Band so I had something that looked nice for the office or everyday use like traveling and eating ice cream! The color is perfect so that it never looks dirty and it is super durable!
Even though this band was gifted to me, all thoughts are sincere and my own!
Don’t have an Apple Watch? No sweat! JORD also offers a fantastic selection of beautiful wrist watches made from all kinds of different woods and colors as well as metal or leather bands. Some are fancy with Swarovski crystals! I love a good sparkle. Check out their Instagram for more inspiration!
Does the don’t judge a book by its cover apply to this? Not quite.
Fun fact: JORD is pronounced "yode"; it is a Norse word which means "earth". You are now cultured for today.
FREE GIVEAWAY
Since I’m such a fangirl, my friends at JORD have offered to give one of my friends (I consider all readers my friends 😃) the opportunity to WIN a FREE band!
***GIVEAWAY ALERT! ENTER OUR CONTEST FOR A FREE BAND FROM OUR PARTNER, JORD! Contest runs July 21st-Aug 21st 2019!
Click here to enter to WIN a FREE band: www.jordwatches.com/g/thesweetestescapes***
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Ice Cream Review: Ice Love You Ice Cream in Chiang Mai, Thailand
We had superhero vegan ice cream in Thailand which was quite the adventure. Check out their 270 flavors and our review on the blog! Things to do in Thaliand | Where to eat in Chiang Mai | Ice Cream in Thailand #thailand #chiangmai #icecream
Ice Love You Ice Cream
Location: 5"N Rachadamnoen Rd Soi 7, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Website/Menu: Ice Love You Facebook
Price/Value: Best value is to get the tower - 3 scoops!
Vegan Options: Lots of vegan options
When we were in Thailand, we made a trek across Chiang Mai (literally 3 miles) to try out this superhero ice cream themed cafe and it was tasty!
"Make all things with love," was their motto and they meant it.
The theme of this place seemed to be anything that is trendy and popular goes. There were superheroes and minions everywhere. I work for Marvel, so I'm used to seeing Marvel characters but this place was interesting. Spiderman and Captain America seemed to be the most popular.
Their menu was large and confusing with 270 different flavors. It took me 20 minutes to figure out what I wanted! I had never seen so many flavors in my life! The man who owned the shop made all the flavors. I asked which ones were the best or most popular but they all had a tea or weird flavor. I just wanted regular ice cream today, however, all of their ice cream was vegan. Josh is still convinced this is not real ice cream.
Josh and I both went for the Ice love you tower - 3 scoops of ice cream with cereal at the bottom! In the picture below, on the right: Spider-Man (sorbet), mint chip, Chocolate almond. Tower on the left: Vanilla cookies and cream and milo chocolate.
The mint chocolate ice cream was a blue color instead of a mint color, regardless, it was still delicious! I have to admit, I was nervous when I found out it was vegan but it all worked out! :-)
If you're in Thailand, check out the Ice Love You Café in Chiang Mai before or after going to the Doi Suthep!
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Ice Cream Review: Ginger's Divine Ice Creams
I discovered the best-kept secret on the Westside called Ginger's Divine Ice Creams! So many unique, fresh flavors, it’s hard to choose and you’ll want to return again and again! Best Ice Cream in Los Angeles | Favorite Ice Cream in LA #icecream #LA #LAicecream
Ginger's Divine Ice Creams
Location: 12550 W. Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Website: gingersicecream.com
Pricing: Great value for amazing homemade ice cream
Dietary Restrictions: Vegan ice cream options
This sign should say AMAZING ICE CREAM MADE HERE! I discovered the best-kept secret on the Westside called Ginger's Divine Ice Creams.
Ginger’s Ice Cream Front - love the yellow umbrellas
I had driven by a few times and those bright yellow umbrellas caught my eye. I was surprised to see an ice cream shop I hadn't heard of!
Bird scooter
ALSO, we traveled by Bird scooter for the first time! SO FUN! It was so easy, all we did was download the app, scan the QR code and boom we were good to go. Get your first ride free with the code: AQYZOQ. Careful, they go pretty fast!
Ginger’s Ice Cream Counter of Goodies
I did a little research and found out that Ginger goes to local farmer's markets to find the freshest fruits, nuts and spices for her ice creams and baked goods. Apparently she lives local too! Hope to meet her someday! She even has options for our vegan friends!
There were tons of options - cones, sundaes, popsicles, cookies, ice cream sandwiches... I figured since it was my first time, I'd go with a classic ice cream cone.
With so many unique flavors to choose from, I tried a couple of course, and was beyond satisfied with the strawberry rhubarb crumble and blood orange. AND they were both PINK!
Strawberry rhubarb crumble and blood orange
Josh went with cookies and cream and salted caramel tuxedo (it has chocolate chunks)!
Cookies and cream and salted caramel tuxedo
Run over to Ginger's Divine (savory, enticing, delightful, wonderful) ice creams as soon as you can!
Ice cream cone - strawberry rhubarb crumble and blood orange
In a hurry? Get a quart, pint, or pop to go!
Pints to go
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Want some more ice cream? Me too! Check these places out:
10 Things You Must See and Do at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland
Star Wars Land also known as Galaxy’s Edge is now open at Disneyland! Check out the best things to do, see, and eat in this new land! See our pro-tips and following along with the map!
UPDATED Sept 21, 2019…
I’ve always liked Star Wars, but Josh is a much bigger fan than I am! Galaxy’s Edge before is almost like walking onto a movie set but as you see the characters walking around and the cast members acting like you’re on another planet, this place becomes real! Here are 10 things you can’t miss in Disneyland’s newest galaxy far far away!
Click here for a map: Disneyland Star Wars Land - Galaxy’s Edge Map
Build and design your very own Light Saber!
Get in line as soon as you can so you can get a reservation to come back later. You can bring a friend in with you to build it. These light sabers might be a bit pricey at $200, however it is quite the experience. First you select your theme to your light saber and you’re instructed to come back later wearing your pin since light sabers are only made by Jedis. Cast members will often refer to it as scrap metal since you build your saber in the junk yard! Tristan was our guild and put on quite the performance.
Don’t forget to pack these guys:
Blue Milk at Galaxy’s Edge
2. Try the Blue Milk!
Do you remember the scene from Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi when Luke squeezes gross milk from the udder of a female Thala-siren (basically an alien sea cow) and gulps it? Yeah, it was disgusting. I guess there was a similar scene with milk from another creature that was cut from the first Star Wars movie, A New Hope. Anyhoo, we liked the Blue Milk since it was much sweeter than the Green Milk but give both a try!
Menu Descriptions (Both are $7.99):
Blue Milk: Plant-based Dairy blend of Coconut and Rice Milk with alluring fruity characteristics.
Green Milk: Plant-based Dairy blend of Coconut and Rice Milk with zippy citrus and tropical characteristics.
The consistency is strange, it’s like a smoothie, or somewhere between a slushee and a milkshake! The Green Milk tasted almost floral like, as if it were lavender ice cream or something. As Kimmy Schmidt would say, “Ew that’s a smell!”
PRO-TIP: Make sure you mobile order! It’s not worth waiting in line!
The Blue Milk scene:
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Cove ride
3. Be a pilot on the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Cove ride
We went on this ride 4 times and tried all three positions: Pilot, Gunner, and Engineer. The pilot that sits in the front left steers the ship up and down and also gets to throw you into light speed! I was nervous it would be hard, but it’s a slower move so that you have more time to react (and hopefully not crash).
Pro-tip: If the line is long, there is a single rider option, but you will most likely be an engineer. 30-45 minutes is a decent wait time if the park is crowded. Late at night is a good time to go!
4. Find Chewie or other beloved characters from the Star Wars series!
Characters were roaming around instead of standing somewhere to pose for pictures!
PRO-TIP: I started to take a selfie near Chewie and he came up and photo bombed me!
5. Watch fireworks light up the sky over the Millennium Falcon!
Fireworks usually blast off nightly around 9:30p. The only bad part is, you can’t hear the music the fireworks is playing to like you can throughout the rest of the park!
6. Explore the shops, you’ll never know what you might find!
There are a few different themed shops - pet store, toy shop, clothing… Here in Galaxy’s Edge, these Merchants are referred to as: Resistance Supply, Creature Stall, Toydarian Toymaker, Black Spire Outfitters, and Jewels of Birth. I think that sums it up.
PRO-TIP: The creature stall has a sleeping creature! Give it a visit!
Build a droid!
7. Build a droid!
Take home your very own droid by assembling one in the Droid Depot! You can make a BB8 or even your own R2, they make great companions!
PRO-TIP: Visit R2D2 here - He’s full size and for sale!
8. Visit the Antique Shop!
So many worldy and weirdly things here! Fun things to purchase and others are fun to look at.
9. Get a soda!
For only $4.25 you get a coke and a souvenir! Your favorite soda comes in a unique Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge package! Try a Coca-cola, Diet Coke or Sprite!
10. Get a treat at Docking Bay 7!
If you’re traveling to a Galaxy Far Far Away… Batuu is the last stop before entering Wild Space. You must try the Batuu-bon, a decadent chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse and coffee custard. The green sponge-like cake tasted fruity and the coin was a piece of chocolate!
BONUS: Have a drink at Oga’s Cantina
Reservations are recommended, very seldom do they have walk-ins. Make your reservations up to 14 days in advance or same-day reservations will be made available each day at 7:00 AM Pacific Time for visits that day, subject to availability. Here is the reservation site: Reservations for Oga’s Cantina
Try the Fuzzy Taun Taun… it’ll give you a tingly feeling… literally! The Chardonnay on tap is BLUE!
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Ice Cream Review: Afters Ice Cream - Colorful and Witty!
Afters is very trendy ice cream scoop shop with relatable quotes. Afters offers many unique flavors including Cookie Butter and Cookie Monster (it’s blue), also home of the Milky bun, which is a warm glazed bun (donut like) stuffed with ice cream! As they say, “Less talk, more ice cream!”
Cookie monster and Frozen Hot Cocoa Ice Cream Cone
Afters Ice Cream
Locations: All over Southern California find one near you!
Website: https://www.aftersicecream.com/
Menu: Afters Flavors
Value: Ice cream is priced a little higher than most shops (2 scoops for $6.50) however handcrafted ice cream usually is! They also have very pretty colored sprinkles! Worth every penny to me!
Afters Woodland Hills
Afters is very trendy, more of a Millennial ice cream spot with relatable quotes. I love the unique flavors offered and their descriptions of each. Also, they have special collaborations like their Rick and Morty flavors.
Afters Flavors and Menu
Afters Ice Cream Flavors
I tried most of the flavors and I think the employee serving me was definitely annoyed, but the scoop shop was empty!
Afters Ice Cream Menu
Also, Afters is home of the Milky bun, which is a warm glazed bun (donut like) stuffed with ice cream and whatever you want in it. See their Instagram for inspiration!
Afters ice cream flavors
After trying so many different kinds such as Cookie Butter (tastes like trader Joes), Peanut Butter Smores, Mint Monster (very minty) and Milk and Cereal, I finally made my selection… Cookie Monster (love a good cookies and cream, especially when its BLUE) and Frozen Hot Cocoa (it even had marshmallows in it)!
Cookie monster and Frozen Hot Cocoa Ice Cream Cone
I love their mottos and strongly stand by them:
I’d come again since they switch out their flavors now and again! Adding the Milky Bun to my list. As they say, "Less talk, more ice cream!"
Less Talk More Ice Cream
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Ice Cream Review: The Baked Bear - Dreamy Ice Cream Sandwiches
Love cookies and ice cream? Get the best ice cream sandwiches at The Baked Bear, made fresh to your favorite combination! See my favorite concoction and where to pick up one of these bad boys!
The Baked Bear
Locations: California, Arizona, Maryland, Oklahoma - find a Baked Bear near you!
Location visited for this post: Pacific Beach - 4516 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
Website: BakedBear.com
Price and Value: Great price for 2 cookies and a LARGE scoop of ice cream!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 Ice cream and cookie combo is to die for)
Dietary Restrictions: Vegan/Gluten-Free option available
Take-out: Local delivery service available
Ice Cream Sandwiches with blue cookie monster ice cream
Cookies, brownies, and blue ice cream are the core elements of this establishment! The Baked Bear has over a dozen original-recipe cookies and ice cream flavors, so you can customize your favorite combo. They’ll even roll the cookie in toppings for the picture perfect Instagram post!
Entrance to The Baked Bear
The Baked Bear Menu
After a long drive from LA, we were on the hunt for some good ice cream. Baskin Robbins was an option, but we wanted something more unique than that. We came across The Baked Bear seeing that they had homemade ice cream… and cookies!
The Baked Bear Menu
How to Order
The cookies are made from scratch daily to make a custom ice cream sandwich! You can even pick two different cookies for your top and bottom. We ended up getting The Baked Bear Combo – M&M cookie (Josh got the peanut butter cookie), brownie, and bear batter ice cream (tastes like cake batter).
Custom Ice Cream Sandwich at the Baked Bear
You can also order cookies by the dozen. Another option to try next time is a DONUT ice cream sandwich! That's right, I said it, ice cream in the middle of a donut!
Cookie Monsters only sign! So cute!
I also liked that they had a convenient lot to park in (right in front of Urban Outfitters).
Will come back! 🍩🍩🍩🍩🍦🍦🍦🍦
This sign is so cute! Love the colors!
More ice cream, please!
HOTEL REVIEW: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress - Orlando, Florida
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort is a great place to stay when visiting Orlando, Florida! Not only do they have everything you need in a resort, but it’s just 15 mins from the Disney parks with free shuttles that run all day. It’s a no brainer to stay here.
Updated May 2026: We originally stayed here in 2018 and have refreshed this review with current information and tips for families visiting Disney World.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Review: Is It Worth It for Families Visiting Disney World?
Address: 1 Grand Cypress Blvd, Orlando, FL 32836
Website: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort is a great place to stay when visiting Orlando, Florida! if you’re looking to stay off Disney property but wanting to keep close to it, it’s just 15 mins from the Disney parks with FREE shuttles that run all day. It’s a no brainer to stay here.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress at a Glance
✔ 15 minutes from Disney World
✔ Large family-friendly rooms
✔ Huge lagoon-style pool with waterslide
✔ Complimentary Disney transportation available
✔ Multiple restaurants on site
✔ Resort fee applies
✔ Great use of Hyatt points and free night certificates
Would I stay here again? Yes. The pool alone makes this one of the best family-friendly Hyatt hotels near Disney World.
PACKING? Here are some of my favorite dresses I highly recommend!
What We Loved
Massive pool area with a waterslide
Plenty of activities included in the resort fee
Spacious rooms for families
Easy access to Disney World
Beautiful resort grounds
Great use of Hyatt points
Things to Know Before You Book
Resort fee applies
Elevators can be slow during peak times
Disney transportation schedules may change
Breakfast buffet is excellent but pricey
Hotel Rooms at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
The rooms are fairly large with a nice seating area with a couch that’s also a bed which is perfect for families with young kids! There are small balconies that aren’t really big enough to do anything on, just a nice touch.
I love that they prepared these rooms for travelers! There were outlets everywhere and even a few USB plugs. After a long day at Disney World, my batteries were drained (physically and electronically).
Mini fridge, desk, and dresser at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
The bed had a lot of pillows, which I liked, and the mattress was on the firmer side. I usually prefer a soft mattress, but I was so tired I could have slept on a rock.
➡️ CHECK BEST ROOM RATES HERE: HYATT REGENCY GRAND CYPRESS
Hotel Room Bed at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Large Hotel Bathroom at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
The bathroom was a decent size with a giant rain shower! The tiles were iridescent, looking like mermaid scales up close. That’s a win in my book! There was also a big shelf in the shower for all my toiletries.
I loved the mirror and lighting, it was perfect for putting on my makeup and realizing I needed a few tweezers on my eyebrows! The closet was an ok size, a little small for my taste, but we managed!
Closet in hotel room at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Is Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Good for Families?
We found this hotel to be a great option for families visiting Disney World because:
The rooms are large enough for families to spread out.
The pool area kept our kids entertained for hours.
There are multiple dining options on-site.
Disney transportation is available.
The resort offers activities beyond the theme parks.
Food and Restaurants at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
There is a restaurant called the Lakehouse in the back of the lobby and down a flight of stairs that offers a decadent breakfast buffet - you can get anything you’ve dreamed for breakfast! Things like quiche, eggs, breakfast potatoes, donuts, oatmeal, BACON, waffles and pancakes made to order or even an omelette station! I really liked their coffee too, all 3 cups. They also serve lunch and dinner.
If you’re looking for a quick to go kinda place, there’s a Market that is like a Starbucks with lattes, coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and options in the afternoon like sandwiches, wraps, and WINE!
Market at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando Florida
Lobby at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Lobby at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando Florida
The lobby is MASSIVE and has a cute little parrot by the check-in desk! You’ll also find the lobby bar on the opposite side from check-in. They have food options as well!
Parrot in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando Florida
Beware of the elevators, it can take a while early in the morning and at night when it’s crowded. We stayed on the 14th floor and I stopped on every floor on the way down. Stairs would have been better. Luckily they have nice chairs and views while you wait on your floor!
Resort at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
There is a ton to do here on the property which is all included in the daily resort fee.
The pool is large and even has a water slide! The pool and spa are open until midnight, however the slide closes earlier. Other activities include put put golf, kayaks, bikes, rock climbing, driving range, and a tennis court.
Pro-tip: A lot of things are included in the resort fee, make sure you check the fine print of the paperwork given at check-in or on the desk in the room!
➡️ CHECK BEST ROOM RATES HERE: HYATT REGENCY GRAND CYPRESS
Family Friedndly Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress near Walt Disney World
Shuttles to the Walt Disney World Resort and other theme parks from the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Epcot Center - Walt Disney World
The shuttle service couldn’t be easier! All you need to do is check-in with the concierge in the lobby to reserve your spot on a shuttle the day before you need it. THE SHUTTLE IS FREE!!! The shuttle drops you off at the main hub (Transportation and Ticket Center) where you can take a monorail or bus to any of the Disney theme parks or hotels. You can even buy your Disney World tickets/Magic Bands here as well.
There are also shuttles for Sea World and Universal Studios, ask the concierge for more information.
Complimentary private car is available, there may be a wait for it.
Parking at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Pricing changes frequently, so check Hyatt's website for the most current rates. Check their website for the latest prices here: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.
FAQ
Does Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress have a Disney shuttle?
Yes, transportation is available to Disney parks, though schedules can change.
Is Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress walkable to Disney World?
No. You'll need to use transportation.
Does Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress have a resort fee?
Yes. Check Hyatt's website for the current fee and inclusions.
Is the pool heated?
(Answer based on current info.)
Can you use Hyatt points?
Yes. This property participates in the Hyatt loyalty program.
We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!
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Ice Cream Review: Manhattan Beach Creamery
Ice cream and ocean views? What could be better! Check out why Manhattan Beach Creamery is one of the best places for ice cream in Los Angeles! Where to go in LA and things to do in Manhattan Beach! #manhattanbeach #icecream
MANHATTAN BEACH CREAMERY
Location: 1120 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Website: mbcreamery.com
Pricing: Their Sundae has the best value!
Dietary Restrictions: Gluten Free Options Available
Ice cream and ocean views? What could be better!?
Sunset in Manhattan Beach
On the corner of Manhattan Ave and Manhattan Beach Blvd, you fall right into those beach vibes and Manhattan Beach Creamery…
This magical place is like walking into a unicorn’s dream. I love the chandeliers and the pink sky ceiling, they add that fun girlie touch. It also reminds me of the Caesar’s Palace Forum Shops ceiling! Anyone know that reference?
Now, not only do they make and sell ice cream, Manhattan Beach Cream makes cupcakes, cookies, and many other sweet treats!
With 28 flavors that rotate daily, it was hard to choose! I tried quite a few including Maple Bacon Crunch, Red Velvet, Smores, Taro, Salted Caramel, and even that one that looks like fruit cake in the front (it was French Macaroon)!
Ice Cream Flavors
SO MANY TREATS! Everything looked so delicious! They are also known for the Cream’wich – an artisan ice cream sandwich made with a combination of artisan cookies from their family business, Katella Bakery.
I wanted to try them all! Fresh-baked cookies, French macarons, chocolate dipped treats, the sweetness was endless. Their most popular treats include Oreos, graham crackers, pretzels, Rice Krispies, s’mores, marshmallows, vanilla wafers, and of course strawberries.
We’ve gone a few times, my favorite flavors have been Heath Bar Coffee, Maple Bacon Crunch, Mocha Almond Fudge and Super Sonic (sweet cream taste, filled with lots of sprinkles). I think the best value here is a Sundae! If you don’t finish it, take it home and throw it in the freezer! 😃
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Ice Cream Review: Smitten Ice Cream
Smitten Ice Cream has AMAZING ice cream made from scratch with organic milk and cream, blended with liquid nitrogen in their Brrr Machine right in front of you ! The chocolate chip cookie dough with pretzels is to die for! #icecream #losangeles
SMITTEN ICE CREAM
Locations: Across California
Website: Smittenicecream.com
Menu: Smitten Ice Cream Menu
Pricing: It’s a little more expensive, but you are getting quality ingredients!
Smitten Ice Cream and Sprinkles
Smitten Ice Cream can be found all over California. I recently visited the El Segundo location after I went shopping and needed a snack! - UPDATE 2020: The El Segundo Location is permanently closed! :(
Smitten Ice Cream
SMITTEN ICE CREAM MENU
Smitten ice cream is made with organic milk and cream... so it’s technically good for you! 😋 The cows producing said milk are living the good life in pasture-based family farms along Sonoma and Marin counties. They don't use any preservatives or artificial anything!
Smitten Ice Cream Menu
The chocolate chip cookie dough with pretzels is to die for! That perfect salty sweet combo! 🍓There is also a Strawberry buttermilk that is pretty superb, using strawberries from local SoCal farms!
The BRRR Machine at Smitten Ice Cream
Brrr Machine at Smitten Ice Cream
Everything is made from scratch and made it right in front of you blending it with liquid nitrogen in their Brrr Machine! The Brrr machine is patented with double helical mixers and mega-smart software for the sweet smooth taste and texture.
Founder Robyn Sue Fisher
As I research all ice cream places, I'm so impressed by the founders stories and their ice cream passion.
Robyn Sue Fisher is my hero! Her ice cream dream literally started as she sold ice cream on the streets of San Francisco. She was disappointed in the artificial selections of ice cream and longed to create a smooth, creamy, fresh, natural solution. While attending Stanford, she took a 2 quarter Startup Garage class giving student the opportunity to pursue their entrepreneurial ideas. After a physics professor made ice cream in class, an idea sparked and to the drawing board she went! After several years, she perfected the Brrr Machine and took it to the streets of San Francisco in a red Radio Flyer wagon. She opened the doors to her first store in 2011 and her ninth store in 2017.
I have so much respect for Robyn and her efforts of pursuing her ice cream dreams!
Ice Cream Art at Smitten
Cones at Smitten Ice Cream
All cones are made in house too, wafting that irresistible smell around the radius of the shop!
Smitten Ice Cream Cones
Smitten Ice Cream
They also have the nicest people that work there! What a treat! I'm a fan and will definitely return. Let me know if you're going! I'll join you! :-)
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Need another scoop?
Ice Cream Review: Creamistry
Creamistry ice cream makes you smarter! Well, you learn a little science lesson about liquid Nitrogen and how to make ice cream with it! Super creamy dense ice cream will fill you up and last a while! They have so many options, everyone will walk away happy!
Creamistry - Temecula, California
Location: 26490 Ynez Rd d, Temecula, CA 92591
There are many locations throughout California, Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas. Find one near you: Creamistry Locations
Website/Menu: Creamistry Menu
Price/Value: I thought it was a little pricy but you get a pretty good sized serving!
Specialty items: Non-dairy and Gluten Free items
Before leaving Temecula, we thought it would be nice to grab some ice cream! There weren't a lot of options but I saw there was a Creamistry, where they make their ice cream with liquid nitrogen!
How Creamistry Works with Liquid Nitrogen
The menu up on the board shows you all the different combinations of ice cream you can make. They have some standard creations or make your own. With more than 60 flavor and topping options, including all natural and organic choices, your fresh frozen satisfaction is guaranteed!
1. Select your size and milk base
2. Choose your flavor - classic, fruity, cereal, cake
3. Add toppings - Candies, nuts, fruits, sauces, etc.
4. Combine ingredients with liquid Nitrogen at -321 degrees. Because the liquid Nitrogen is so cold, it causes the milk particles to stay small giving a creamy smooth texture.
Because science....
My sister had coffee ice cream with almonds, look how creamy it is!
I went for an affogato which is ice cream with espresso poured over. YUM!
Affogato
The consistency was really creamy, and it didn't melt very fast even with the hot espresso poured over. I’d come back in a heartbeat!
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Guide to the Best Ice Cream and Dessert in Maui, Hawaii - Ranked with Map
Guide to Best Desserts in Maui, Hawaii, ranked including ice cream, gelato, shave ice, brownies, and pies! There’s even a handy map included! See the best restaurants and scoop shops for that sweet tooth!
I love Maui and I love dessert, especially ice cream. I have ranked my favorite desserts below after much extensive research! 😋Don’t miss these great dessert options around the island see our handy map! You can even save it to your Google map app!
Although I’m not vegan, I’ve also included some options for my vegan friends!
Related Post: How to Spend 4 Days in Maui - Complete Itinerary
Coconut Glen’s - Road to Hana
#1 Coconut Glen’s Ice Cream
Address: Mile Marker 27 1/2 Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708
Website: http://coconutglens.com/
Pricing/Value: Good size scoop for the value
Vegan Options?: All vegan options!
While on the Road to Hana, make sure you stop for some ice cream! Coconut Glen makes all his ice cream from the coconuts from the Maui jungles!
See our full Ice Cream Review here: Coconut Glen’s Ice Cream
Maui Hula Grill Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich
#2 Ice Cream Sandwich at Hula Grill
Location: Hula Grill/Barefoot Bar in Whaler’s Village - 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761
Menu: Hula Grill Menu
Pricing: $11 for a giant dessert!
A monster ice cream sandwich taller than a salt shaker! Try this on for size - Hawaiian vanilla ice cream, macadamia nut brownies, whipped cream, fudge, and raspberry sauce.
See more restaurants in our 10 Best Restaurants in Maui Post
Island Cream Co - Maui, Hawaii
#3 Island Cream Co
Location: 305 Keawe St #511, Lahaina, HI 96761
Website Menu/Flavors: Island Cream Co
Value: Large scoops for under $10
Special Options?: Non-dairy sorbets available
I'm not sure Island Cream Company just tastes better because it's in Hawaii (everything is better in Hawaii) or if it's their original recipe with the perfect mix of gelato and ice cream.
See more in our full ice cream review: ISLAND CREAM CO
Maui Gelato Ice Cream
#4 Maui Gelato
Location: 2395 S Kihei Rd #120, Kihei, HI 96753
Website: Maui Gelato Facebook
Menu: Hard to find an updated menu online. See our full post here: Maui Gelato
Pricing: Big helpings for a great price
Non-Dairy options available
Located along the water just above Wailea in Kihei, Maui Gelato has everything ice cream you can imagine! Gelato, ice cream, affogatos (espresso poured over ice cream), floats, shakes, mochi ice cream, shave ice, waffles.
See our full review and the life lesson I learned here: Maui Gelato
#5 Hula Pie
Multiple Locations all over Hawaii: Hula Grill/ Barefoot Bar/ Dukes/ Leilani’s/ Kimo’s
Pricing: Around $11 for a huge slice!
You MUST try the Hula pie! It’s vanilla or macadamia nut ice cream with an Oreo crumble pie crust, with whipped cream and fudge on top!
Hula Pie
Shave Ice
#6 Shave Ice
A Hawaii classic! There are plenty of places to get shave ice and even food trucks on the side of the road have them! Make sure you get ice cream in the bottom, I love a good macadamia nut ice cream at the bottom of shaved ice with pineapple and coconut on top!
Favorite:
Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice (multiple locations) - 790 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761
CHocolate Cream Pie at Monkeypod Kitchen
#7 Pie at Monkeypod Kitchen
Locations/Menu: Kaanapali and Wailea
Pricing: Around $11 per slice
I normally go for ice cream any chance I can get, but the Chocolate Cream Pie at Monkeypod is pretty phenomenal. Want something other than chocolate? Try their Strawberry, Banana, or Coconut Cream pies!
You can also try their Tropical Dreams Gelato & Sorbet for $7.95 with options of Tahitian vanilla, chocolate, island-hop Kona coffee, or featured flavor sorbet.
See our full Restaurant Review here: Monkeypod Kitchen
#8 Tin Roof Chocolate Birthday Bibingka Cake
Location: 360 PAPA PLACE STE Y, KAHULUI, HI, 96732
Open: Monday - Saturday for lunch only
Pricing: Cheap eats!
Chocolate Birthday Bibingka Cake 🌈💗🎂 is filled with chocolate, peanut butter, sprinkles and pop rocks! AND it’s fun to say!
TIN ROOF is a new generation mom & pop shop, owned by Internationally recognized Chef Sheldon Simeon & his wife, Janice. Raised in Hilo, Hawaii rain is a part of everyday life. Farmers markets keep buzzing, errands roll along, and garage kani ka pila never ends.
Don’t forget these dresses!
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Ice Cream Review: Maui Gelato - Maui, Hawaii
Maui Gelato is a great place to stop! With options of gelato, Roselani ice cream, affogato, floats, shakes, mochi ice cream, shave ice, and waffles, you won’t be disappointed. Also, read about the important life lesson I learned.
Maui Gelato
Location: 2395 S Kihei Rd #120, Kihei, HI 96753
Website: Maui Gelato Facebook
Menu: Hard to find an updated menu online. See pictures below for menu options and flavors.
Pricing: Big helpings for a great price
Non-Dairy options available
Located along the water just above Wailea in Kihei, they have everything ice cream you can imagine! Gelato, ice cream, affogato, floats, shakes, mochi ice cream, shave ice, waffles.
See our full guide to the BEST ICE CREAM ON MAUI
Toasted coconut gelato and Kona Pie ice cream with sprinkles of course
Although they don’t have an official website, be sure to check out their Facebook Page for menu updates. Here was the menu Fall of 2018:
Maui Gelato Shave Ice Menu
Pretty good prices for the amount you get! I’d definitely go for the LAVA FLOW combo! Maybe add a shot of rum?
Maui Gelato Menu
I was sold when I learned they serve ice cream for breakfast: Belgian waffles with so many ice cream topping combos! I’d like an affogato (espresso shots poured over ice cream) with my waffles please!
Maui Gelato Menu
Maui Gelato Flavors
All gelato and ice cream are made on Maui with love!
Roselani Ice cream served at Maui Gelato
Based on names like Haupia, Kona coffee, Kona Mud Pie, I had to look up Roselani Ice Cream to make sure this was legit Maui ice cream. Here’s what I found on the Roselani website:
In 1932 at the Maui Soda & Ice Works plant in Wailuku, Maui, Manuel Nobriga began making ice cream from scratch for local ice cream parlors. Everyone loved the velvety smooth texture and the richness of his flavors and the business grew to eventually include 1/2-gallon cartons that folks could enjoy at home.
The name Roselani is always of interest, especially to folks outside of Maui. It is the “Americanization” of the Hawaiian word Lokelani, which means “heavenly rose” and is Maui’s official flower. The red blossom is proudly displayed on Roselani® Ice Cream cartons. “It honors my grandfather’s and my father’s identity. A rose is the queen of perfection,” says Cathy (third generation)… just like the ice cream which bears its name.
Check out where to find Roselani ice cream on Maui here: Roselani Locations (available on other islands as well, but only sold in Hawaii).
With that, I was confident the ice cream is also a solid choice.
Maui Gelato Menu options
They were nice enough to let me try try so many flavors since no one else was there! After 10 minutes of looking at all my options, literally, everything sounded so good (gelato, ice cream, cup, cone, waffle bowl…), I ended up ordering Toasted Coconut gelato and Kona Pie ice cream in a cone dipped with sprinkles, of course!
My ice cream melted in the sun so quickly!
I had big dreams of taking a picture of ice cream with Maui waves in the background… As soon as we stepped outside, that sucker started melting like a snowman in summer. I ran across the street to get this picture before I wasted too much of my delicious ice cream. Lesson learned here: Life is like ice cream, enjoy it before it melts! Also, always grab extra napkins! 😆
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The Seychelles was one of the most relaxing and beautiful islands we’ve ever been to! Where to stay in the Seychelles? You must stay at the Hilton Northolme Resort and Spa and get a pool villa! See why this was the best hotel in the Seychelles!